Cotinus, European Smoke Tree, Purple Smoke Tree
Cotinuscoggygria 'Velvet Cloak'

Family: Anacardiaceae (an-a-kard-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Cotinus (ko-TYE-nus)
Species: coggygria (kog-GY-gree-uh)
Cultivar: Velvet Cloak

Category
Trees

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Deciduous

Foliage Color
Burgundy/Maroon

Height
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)

Spacing
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone

Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Bloom Color
Pink
Medium Purple

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From softwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds